THE BRITISH INQUISITION
5 January 2005
The race-war zealots have suffered a setback in their attempts to abolish free guided walks in the Lake District National Park. The decision to abolish the walks had originally been taken as the walks were condemned ‘because they only attract the white middle classes’.
However, widespread protests have led to the Lake District National Park Authority to postpone its final decision. The authority is under pressure to conform to government targets for visitors from ethnic minorities, inner-city children and the disabled. The original decision had been made by the authority’s corporate and financial services committee.
Volunteers, who only claim expenses, organise up to 470 walks each year which are attended by thousands of enthusiasts and tourists. The cost of the walks is only £40,000 out of their £9million budget.
Mr Turnstall, a former chairman of the Lake District Voluntary Rangers said: ‘Twenty-three of the 25 members present voted to reconsider so we have got a good number on our side, but this is not the end by any means’.
No doubt once the general election is out of the way, this matter will be revisited.
The race-war zealots have suffered a setback in their attempts to abolish free guided walks in the Lake District National Park. The decision to abolish the walks had originally been taken as the walks were condemned ‘because they only attract the white middle classes’.
However, widespread protests have led to the Lake District National Park Authority to postpone its final decision. The authority is under pressure to conform to government targets for visitors from ethnic minorities, inner-city children and the disabled. The original decision had been made by the authority’s corporate and financial services committee.
Volunteers, who only claim expenses, organise up to 470 walks each year which are attended by thousands of enthusiasts and tourists. The cost of the walks is only £40,000 out of their £9million budget.
Mr Turnstall, a former chairman of the Lake District Voluntary Rangers said: ‘Twenty-three of the 25 members present voted to reconsider so we have got a good number on our side, but this is not the end by any means’.
No doubt once the general election is out of the way, this matter will be revisited.
posted by erc @ 4:50 pm
<< Home